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THE

A LPHA B ETA BOOK

An Introduction to Ancient Greek

Keith U. McCrary, BA, MDiv



THE

A LPHA B ETA

BOOK

An Introduction to Ancient Greek

by

Keith U. McCrary, BA, MDiv



Printed with support from the Waldorf Curriculum Fund

Published by:The Association of Waldorf Schools

of North America

Publications Office38 Main Street

Chatham, New York 12037

Title: The Alpha Beta Book: An Introduction to Ancient Greek

Author: Keith McCrary Pictograph illustrations: Keith McCrary Cover: A Reading from Homer, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Oil on canvas,

1885, 36¹ /8 × 72¼ inches (91.8 × 183.5 cm), Philadelphia Museum of Art:

The George W. Elkins Collection, 1924, permission courtesy of PhiladephiaMuseum of Art

Cover design: Ann ErwinCopy editor & Layout: Ann ErwinProofreader for Ancient Greek: Donald Samson© 2013 by AWSNA ISBN # 978-1-936367-41-2



Table of Contents

Introduction: An Invitation to a Distant Place and Time . . . . . . . 7

CHAPTER 1. Why Study Ancient Greek? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

CHAPTER 2. The Fun of Learning to Say the Greek Alphabet . . . . 12

CHAPTER 3. Increasing Your Vocabulary with

Greek Letters and Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

CHAPTER 4. Greek Numbers from 1–20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

CHAPTER 5. Reading Ancient Greek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Excerpts from Philosophy and Literature

Philosophical Sayings

The First Lines of The Odyssey

The Prayer to Zeus

New Testament Greek and the

First Lines of The Gospel of John

CHAPTER 6. More English Words with Ancient Greek Origins . . . 53

CHAPTER 7. The Mysteries and Curiosities of the Alphabet. . . . . . 57

Resources and Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

About the Author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63



The Acropolis – Athens, Greece



7

Introduction

An Invitation to a Distant Place and Time

Go with me to a distant land, to a land surrounded on three sides

by water. Go with me to a distant time, more than two thousand years

ago. Go to a time and place where a city was called a πο &λις polis. One

metropolis there is named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena.

Overlooking Athens is a hill called the Acropolis, where stands the

Parthenon, a temple honoring the goddess.

Go with me now down into the city. Wending our way throughnarrow cobblestone streets, we come to an open market place, called

the α 0γορα & agora. Around the teeming market are public buildings,

each with a large covered porch called a στο &α stoa. There you will find

many citizens gathered, seriously discussing philosophy. In fact, one

group of philosophers is called Stoics after the stoa where they met and

developed their philosophy.

Some here are quoting Socrates, saying, Γνω =θι Σαυτο & ν Gno <thi

Sauton, which in English means “Know Thyself,” a profound andchallenging bit of wisdom. Say it after me: [Gnoo <thee Sowton]. Know

thyself. You might also hear: Μηδε \ ν Α 1 γαν Me <den Agan, which means

“Nothing in Excess.” This expresses the philosopher Aristotle’s view on

the importance of balance in life. Pronounce it [Ma <den Agän]. Nothing

in excess.

You might ask: What is philosophy? Simply put, it means the “love

of wisdom.” It comes from two Greek words: philia meaning “love” and

sophia meaning “wisdom.” It is wise not to do anything excessively, andit is wise to know who you are.

In the agora school children gather around a pedagogue (a tutor,

literally “a leader of children”). With him they will learn much, including

their letters. Let’s listen in. Say it with them as best you can. It’s easy:alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, eta, theta, iota, kappa, lambda, mu,

nu, xi, omicron, pi, rho, sigma, tau, upsilon, phi, chi, psi, omega.



The Parthenon

Reconstruction: Nashville, TN

Rendering by Gorham P. Stevens, 1938



9

1. Why Study Ancient Greek?

Here is an attempt to put a beginning knowledge of Ancient Greek

in the hands of anyone interested. Why bother? What is the value of

studying Ancient Greek? There are many good answers. Here are several.

1. Ancient Greek is one of the great formative languages of the

world. Greek came from the same root source from which Latin

emerged: Indo-European. Thus they share many of the same words.

Ancient Greek’s presence is in German, in the Scandinavian languages,

the Romance languages and, of course, in English. Ancient Greek also

influenced the written form of a number of languages. For example,

you can see some of the same letters in the Russian alphabet.

Over seventy percent of the English language is derived from

Ancient Greek and Latin! Thus, to have a deeper understanding of

our language, Ancient Greek is extremely helpful. A lot of our large

words (polysyllabic ones) come from Ancient Greek. Almost all of our

medical and legal words come from Latin or Greek or both.2. Knowing some Ancient Greek can aid in spelling correctly. For

example, “pneumonia” is a common spelling bee challenge. Originally

in Greek the p was pronounced, but for us now, it is silent. We have

to learn it as a “sight word” in addition to its phonetic clues. It helps

to know that “breath” in Ancient Greek is pneuma. Unfortunately, the

disease pneumonia affects the breath in a negative way. Fortunately

pneuma shows up in other words. Pneumatic tires contain air. Pneumatic

pumps and drills use compressed air (breath) in their machines.

In Greek mythology Mnemosyne was not only the mother of the

Muses, but she was also the goddess of memory. Thus a mnemonic

device is a way of remembering something. Like the silent p in

“pneumonia,” the m is silent and so the word begins with the sound of

the letter n. This should be helpful for remembering how to spell the



10

word correctly. “Amnesia” is, of course, a related word meaning “no

memory.” I hope you will remember this.

3. Much like the study of one’s own family history, when learning

Ancient Greek we gain an appreciation of our language’s roots and thecultural heritage interwoven with them. It is “a getting in touch with”

one’s ancestors, our great grandmothers and great grandfathers, our

distant relatives—linguistically speaking.

4. The study of Ancient Greek can aid in appreciating the mystery

of language itself. How it is translated, transliterated, and transformed

into other languages can be revealing. A transliteration is writing out

in the letters of one alphabet into the letters of another alphabet, as

we do when we change Ancient Greek into English, for example βη ~τα transliterates into beta.

When we say: “It’s lost in the translation,” that is only partly true.

Something can be gained when the human imagination is at work

changing words into different expressions, including transliterations.

New insights can unfold; richer, fuller meanings can emerge.

5. For some people, a minor, yet good, reason to have at least a

familiarity with the Greek alphabet is that it can come in handy inplaying Scrabble. Especially if you get the x, the Greek letter xi can be

spelled out and can even score well if placed in the right spot. All of

the other Greek letters are allowed as well, according to The Official

Scrabble Players Dictionary. Similarly, crossword puzzles occasionally ask

for Greek letters spelled out in English.

6. The most obvious and indeed the most significant value for

absorbing something of this ancient language is the expansion of one’s

vocabulary. It has been clearly documented that those students having

a knowledge of Ancient Greek score higher on SAT exams and the like.

They simply have a larger vocabulary or can figure out the meaning of

words they don’t know from knowing the Greek origins. (This little

book might help a student preparing for such a standardized test.)



11

7. Along with expanding one’s vocabulary, this endeavor also can

enrich one’s involvement with the English language. For over thirty

years I have introduced fifth grade students in various Waldorf schools

to Ancient Greek. On the first day of class, after reciting the Greek

alphabet a few times, I ask the question: “What is one word you knowthat comes from Ancient Greek?” Someone always answers “alphabet”

because it comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet: alpha

beta. Then there is an immediate “aha” from the whole class. Wonder

comes alive, and the students are curious to learn more.

In what follows I hope to lead you into this experience often. It

is my sincere hope that this work will soon enable you to decipher

words you might not have known before. I hope you will come to enjoy

the English language more by learning about the origins of words you

already know.

For the teacher and for the parent teaching his or her child, this

book can be a manual. It can help you expand the vocabularies of those

you teach. For the adventurous, motivated student, it can be a self-help

book. The accompanying CD can be a fun and invaluable aid as well.

We use the famous phrase “It’s Greek to me” to refer to something

one does not understand. Perhaps this offering will modify thatstatement for you. With a basic grasp of this seminal language, many

things will become understandable because it IS Greek to you.



12

2.The Fun of Learning to Say

the Greek Alphabet

A natural beginning point for introducing Ancient Greek is the

alphabet. Moreover, most every student I have taught has enjoyed the

process of memorizing the Greek alphabet. This has been true largely

because of the way we do it. I have included here some of those methods

used successfully over the years with my students.

Here is the alphabet transliterated into English, with pronunciation

clues in brackets. I will expand on this as we go along, but let’s have

some fun getting started. Read the pairs across from left to right.

ALPHA [älfä] > BETA [ba <tä]

GAMMA [gämmä] > DELTA [deltä]

EPSILON [epsilon] > ZETA [dza <tä]

ETA [a <tä] > THETA [tha <tä]

IOTA [eeo <tä] > KAPPA [käppä]

LAMBDA [lämdä] > MU [moo]

NU [noo] > XI [ksee]

OMICRON [omikron] > PI [pea]

RHO [hro <] > SIGMA [sigmä]

TAU [täo <] > UPSILON [oopsilon]

PHI [fee] > CHI [khee]

PSI [psee] > OMEGA [o <megä]

You can memorize this alphabet in a short time. Just follow these

suggestions. First, simply read through the twenty-four letters three

times just to get your tongue around the sounds.



13

Now, read them rhythmically. One of the best ways to memorize the

Greek alphabet (and many other things) is by using different speech

rhythms—and then moving to the sounds while speaking them. For

example, the list of Greek letters written above has been purposely

placed in pairs. This will make it easy to say the letters with a two-beatrhythm. Try saying it that way: alpha beta / gamma delta / epsilon zeta /

eta theta / iota kappa / lambda mu / nu xi / omicron pi / rho sigma / tau

upsilon / phi chi / psi omega.

Next, step to that rhythm and say the alphabet at the same time. If

you are unable to step for some reason, clapping or tapping is fine.

After that has been practiced three or four times, try a three-beat

rhythm: alpha beta gamma / delta epsilon zeta / eta theta iota / kappalambda mu / nu xi omicron / pi rho sigma / tau upsilon phi / chi psi omega .

Then do it again, moving to that rhythm and saying the alphabet at the

same time.

Because the Greek alphabet has twenty-four letters, rhythms of four,

six, eight, and even twelve can be used. You may want to count on your

fingers to keep track with four or more beats. Continue to move to the

rhythms whenever possible.

Now that you have begun to get the

hang of rhythmic moving and speaking,

I recommend beginning the process over

again with the following sequence:

1. Read the alphabet again, straight-

forwardly.

2. Now put your thumbs in your belt,

waist, or pockets, and then bow your legsa bit like a cowboy or cowgirl. Move up

and down in place like you are riding a

horse as you say the alphabet with a two-

beat rhythm and the best Texas accent

you can muster. You don’t have to keep a

straight face—unless you are from Texas.



14

3. This can be varied with any of the following accents: Mexican,

aristocratic English, French, and Italian (with lively hand gestures). The

three-beat rhythm seems to work well with the foreign accents.

Notice how one’s posture shifts with different accents. A person

usually stands or sits up straighter when using a British accent.

Be creative. Use any other accents or voices you might have at your

command.

4. You can also impersonate famous characters or actors saying the

alphabet, if you have such in your repertoire. Many of my students have

had fun trying to say the alphabet with a voice similar to an animated

cartoon character named Droopy.

5. Another fun variation can be used when you have complete

command in reciting the alphabet: See how fast you can say it. Use a

stopwatch to time yourself. Anything under ten seconds is commend-

able. The record to date, in my experience, is six seconds. Group efforts

have accomplished it in as few as seven seconds.

6. Finally, try singing the Greek alphabet to the tune of “Twinkle,

Twinkle Little Star,” the traditional alphabet song. It does work. The

alphabet is even easier to learn if you say/sing it with another person—or more.

I have used these methods effectively in classes for many years.

Students have come up to me years later to tell me that they still recall

the alphabet—and then they go on to prove it in the seconds that follow.



15



16

Pronunciation Guide

Letter Sound Pronunciation As in

a broad [ä] father

e short [e] enter

e < long [a <] they

i short [ı ] it

long [ee] fee

o short [o] mosso < long [o <] most

u, y [oo] oops!

- - - - - - -

th [th] theta

rh [hr] rhythm

ph [f] phone

ch [kh] loch

ps [ps] apse

z [dz] adze

x [ks] axiom

gg [ng] song

- - - - - - -

ai [ı] aisle

au [ow] cow ei [a <] weigh

eu [eu <] feud

oi [oy] oil, boy

ou [oo] moo

in transliteration



17

Some pronunciation tips

In going through the alphabet, you may have already noticed the

pronouncing of certain Greek letters is different from what you might

have heard before. This is due, in part, to scholars and fraternity/ sorority

organizations who use alternative or modernized pronunciations.

However, since we want to get it right, here are some pointers:

The ending a in alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and so on, requires a

broad or open a sound, as in “father,” indicated with [ä].

Epsilon’s e is short [e], as in “enter.”

The e in eta is pronounced as a long a [a <]. The same is true for beta,

zeta and theta.

Mathematicians have long used the Greek letter pi to represent

the number 3.14 (approximately), which has to do with figuring the

distance around a circle (C = πd) and the area of a circle (A = πr2). In

math classes the letter is usually pronounced “pie.” However, in Greek

(ancient and modern), it is pronounced “pea,” as in the little green

vegetable.

The letter phi should also be pronounced with the same long e

sound: [ee]. The founders of Phi Beta Kappa, the honorary academicfraternity/sorority, should have known better than to pronounce it

“fie.” Fie on them! Just kidding. Similarly, iota = [eeo <tä], xi = [ksee], chi

= [khee], and psi = [psee] use a long e sound.

Both letters o in omicron are short [o], as in “moss.” The long o

sound comes with the omega.

The u in upsilon, mu and nu is pronounced [oo] as in “oops.” Oops,

I hope this part isn’t too complicated or tiresome.The g sound in gamma is the hard g as in “great.” The single g is

always hard. When two gammas are together, you get a “ng” sound as

in “song.”



18

Two extra vowels

The vowels in Ancient Greek are essentially parallel to those in

English: A E I O U equals alpha, epsilon, iota, omicron, and upsilon. The

Greek alphabet, however, has two more: eta and omega.

Eta is pronounced with a long a [a <tä], as we have already noted.

The combination ei also makes the long a sound, as in the Greek word

for the number “one”: ει [ς heis, which is pronounced [ha <s or ha <ce], to

which our word “ace” is related.

As already noted, the omega in Greek makes a long o sound, as in a

word like “most.” For pronouncing the long o, we will use [o <].

Note: Eta is transliterated as e < (pronounced a <), to differentiate it

from epsilon (e), and omega is transliterated as o <, to differentiate it fromomicron (o).

Squiggles: breathing marks and accents

When a Greek word begins with a vowel, there is an apostrophe

over the vowel to indicate pronunciation. If the apostrophe is pointing

to the left ( 0), the vowel is pronounced on its own normally. This is

called a “smooth breathing.” If the apostrophe is facing the opposite way ( 9), one must add an h sound [h] before the vowel. This is called a

“rough breathing.”

The Greeks did not have an h in their alphabet, so they used this

rough breathing symbol of the backward apostrophe to indicate that

sound. (Do not be confused when you see the capital letter eta: It looks

just like a capital H but it is still pronounced as a long a [a <], as in “bay.”)

Ancient Greek also uses accent marks. They included them in

the normal presentation of their words, not just in parentheses in

the dictionary as is done in English. They are used to indicate which

syllable to stress. The accent is always over the vowel in the stressed

syllable. When the vowel is short, it is marked with an acute ( &); when

the vowel is long, it is marked with a circumflex ( =). When the last



19

syllable in a word is stressed and followed by another word, it is marked

with a grave ( \).

This may seem like a lot to keep track of, but you will find that once

you get going with actual words and phrases, it will all become easier.

In the next part of this book, we will continue to work with the letters,

but with an emphasis on expanding one’s vocabulary. As you will see,

many of the words we already know in the English language are derived

from Ancient Greek.

Aspirations and double-letter sounds

There are seven letters in Ancient Greek that deserve special

attention because all seven require two letters in English to representthem. Four of these letters are what we call aspirated letters, which

means we add a [h] sound to the letter. Theta θ is pronounced [th]. Phi

φ is pronounced [f], and rho ρ is pronounced [hr]. Chi χ is pronounced

with a sound we don’t use in English; it is like the ch in the Scottish

word “loch” and is represented in this book with [kh].

The three other letters are double-letter sounds: Zeta ζ begins with

a [d] sound preceding the z, pronounced as in “adze,” the wood-carving

tool. Xi ξ always makes the sound of [ks], and psi ψ makes a [ps] sound.

Diphthongs

We call the sound formed by the combination of two vowels a

diphthong. Pronunciation guides are given for these combinations in

the chart on page 16.



20

The Greek Alphabet

Α Β Γ ∆ Ε Ζ Η Θ Ι Κ Λ Μ Ν Ξ Ο Π Ρ Σ Τ Υ Φ Χ Ψ Ω

α β γ δ ε ζ η θ ι κ λ µ ν ξ ο π ρ σ τ υ φ χ ψ ω

Α α

Β β

Γ γ

∆ δ

Ε ε

Ζ ζ

Η η

Θ θ

Ι ι

Κ κ

Λ λ

Μ µΝ ν

Ξ ξ

Ο ο

Π π

Ρ ρ

Σ σ, ς

Τ τ Υ υ

Φ φ

Χ χ

Ψ ψ

Ω ω

ΑΛΦΑ

ΒΗΤΑ

ΓΑΜΜΑ

∆ΕΛΤΑ

ΕΨΙΛΟΝ

ΖΗΤΑ

ΗΤΑ

ΘΗΤΑ

ΙΩΤΑ

ΚΑΠΠΑ

ΛΑΜΒ∆Α

ΜΥΝΥ

ΞΙ

ΟΜΙΚΡΟΝ

ΠΙ

ΡΩ

ΣΙΓΜΑ

ΤΑΥ ΥΨΙΛΟΝ

ΦΙ

ΧΙ

ΨΙ

ΩΜΕΓΑ

α !λφα

βη =τα

γα &µµα

δε &λτα

ε !

ψιλονζη =τα

η ]τα

θη =τα

ι 0ω =τα

κα &ππα

λα &µβδα

µυ = νυ =

ξι =

ο !µικρον

πι =

ρ 9ω =

σι &γµα

ταυ =

υ 9ψιλο & ν

φι =

χι =

ψι =

ω 0µε &γα

alpha A a dra ma

be <ta B b bible

gamma G g, ng going

delta D d decalog

epsilon E e epic

ze <ta Z z adze

e <ta E e < the y

the <ta Th th atheist

io <ta I i intrigue

kappa K k crisis

lambda L l logic

mu M m meternu N n anti

xi X x axiom

omicron O o moss

pi P p poet

rho < Rh, rh, r rh ythm

sigma S s spore

tau T t tone

upsilon Y y, u hoops

phi Ph ph Philip

chi Ch ch loch

psi Ps ps maps

o <mega O o < ocean

Transliteration



21

3.Increasing Your Vocabulary with

Greek Letters and Words

In many Greek words the relationship to English words is obvious,

as in “alphabet.” Others are not so apparent. For example, hippos means

“horse”; potamos means “river.” Together they make hippopotamus, a

“river horse.”

By using artwork in the process of learning the letters, the feeling

life of the students becomes engaged along with the intellect and canmake a significant difference in remembering what is presented. The

emotional aspect can also serve as a bridge between the intellect and

the will, thus involving the whole person. Making drawings and/or

doing writing has a deepening effect upon the student trying to learn

the alphabet. When this takes place, remembering the content is much

more likely to be successful.

On the following pages the Greek letters are hidden in a series of

drawings called pictographs. Your job is to find them. Even better—make your own little Greek book. Feel free to copy the illustrations

presented in this book. This is what my students have done. Then if

you like, you may circle or outline your discoveries with a highlighter

or colored pencil to indicate the location of each Greek letter. This can

help in recognizing and recalling the forms of the letters.

Besides the Ancient Greek words introduced, their meanings have

been included along with one or more derivatives.To get you started on your search for the hidden Greek letters, here

are two clues. In the alpha illustration, look for the letter form in the

head of the angel. In the beta illustration find the beta on the right side

of the four-leaf clover. Use your imagination as you look for the other

twenty-two.



22

ΑΛΦΑ α !λφα

ALPHA Α α

Alpha is for angelos [ängelos], as

in angel. It also appears in Los

Angeles, “The City of Angels.”

The Greek word means

“messenger,” so it shows up in

our word evangelist, a person who is said to bring a good message or

good news.

In Ancient Greek akros [äkros] means “summit, top” or “heights.”

Overlooking the capital of Greece, the city of Athens, is a famoussite called the Acropolis, where a great temple was built to honor the

goddess Athena. The Greek word for city is πο &λις polis [polis], as in

our word metropolis. So Acropolis means, literally, “above the city.”

Where else does akros show up in English? Imagine a tight rope walker

or a trapeze artist doing tricks high above a circus crowd. He or she

is called an _____. That’s right: an acrobat, originally someone who

performed from a place high overhead. You wouldn't want to be an

acrobat if you have acrophobia, a fear of heights.

α !κρος akros [äkros] = summit, top -- acrobat

’Ακρο &πολις Akropolis [äkropolis] -- Acropolis

α !γγελος angelos [ängelos] = messenger -- angel, evangelism

α 0 ντι & anti [äntee] = opposite, in place of -- antibiotic

α 0στη &ρ aste <r [ästa <r] = star -- astronomy

αυ 0το &ς autos [owtos] = self -- automatic, automobile



23

ΒΗΤΑ βη =ταBETA Β β

The Greek word for “life” is bios

[beeos]. Biology is the study of

life. One major branch of biology

is botany, the study of plants. As

clover is a form of plant life, I have used it to introduce the letter beta.

What do we call the written story of a person’s life? You are right

if you said: “biography.” Other words related to bios include bionic,

biosphere, and biodegradable and biofeedback.

To the Ancient Greeks, the language of foreigners sounded like“bar-bar-bar,” and so they became known as barbaros [bärbäros], which

meant someone who didn't speak Greek, thus a foreigner. From this

we get the words barbarian and barbarous, meaning primitive in

culture and customs.

Biblion [biblion], meaning “book,” appears in English in the word

Bible and in the Spanish and German words for “library”: biblioteca

and bibliothek, respectively. A bibliography is a list of reference books

often found at the end of a scholarly paper or book.The word for “cow” in Ancient Greek is bous [boos], from which

we get the word “bovine,” having to do with cows, oxen, and so forth.

This word appears in a short, humerous poem, “The Cow” by Ogden

Nash. Poetry that depicts country life, where a herdsman of cows lives

and works, is called bucolic poetry.

βα &ρβαρος barbaros [bärbäros] = foreign -- barbarian, barbaric

βι &βλιον biblion [biblion] = book -- bibliography, Bible

βι &ος bios [beeos] = life -- biology, biography

βου =ς bous [boos] = cow -- bovine

βουκο /λος boukolos [bookolos] = cowherd -- bucolic



24

ΓΑΜΜΑ γα &µµαGAMMA Γ γ

Note the old-fashioned quill pen. Can you

see the shape of the lower case gamma in it as

well as what the quill has written? The Greek

word for “writing” is gramma [grämä]. Besides

being related to grammar, it is connected to

grammarian, telegram, gramophone, anagram,

and diagram.

In our time when people are living longer

than they used to, doctors and nurses have begun to study the agingprocess. To describe the medical practice of treating the elderly, they

borrowed from the Greek word for “old age,” ge <ras [ga <räs] and coined

the word geriatrics.

Another word beginning with gamma which certainly deserves

noting is the goddess Gaia [Gı <ä]. She is commonly called Mother

Earth. From Gaia we get geology, geography, geode, and the names

Georgia and George.

Γαι =α Gaia [Gı <ä] = Gaia, mother of the Titans

γη = ge < [ga <] = earth -- geology

γε & νος genos [genos] = birth -- genes, Genesis

γη =ρας ge <ras [ga <räs] = old age -- geriatrics

γρα &µµα gramma [grämä] = writing -- grammar, telegram

γρα &φω grapho [gräfo <] = to draw, write -- graphics, graphite,geography



25

∆ΕΛΤΑ δε &λταDELTA ∆ δ

When it came to describing the

silty deposit at the mouth of a

river, someone noticed that the

flow of water creates a triangular-

shaped landform—like the shape

of the Greek capital letter delta.

Two of the most famous deltas

are the Nile Delta in Egypt and the Mississippi Delta in Louisiana. It

was in that state that Delta Airlines had its beginnings. The airlinestill uses a stylized shape of this Greek letter as its logo.

In the human body there is a shoulder muscle that has this same

form. It is called the deltoid muscle. Look in a mirror at your bare

shoulder, and you can see it. The tip of the triangular form is pointing

downward between the biceps and triceps.

δεσπο &της despote <s [despota <s] = dictator -- despot

δη =

µος de <mos

[da <

mos] = the people -- democracy δυ & ναµις dynamis [doonämis] = power -- dynamic, dynamite

ΕΨΙΛΟΝ ε !ψιλονEPSILON Ε ε

Look for the lower case epsilon in

the lower part of the tree—with thearrow in it.

There are two Greek words spelled ενen. One has a smooth breathing mark (ε 0 ν),

is pronounced with a short e, as in enter or

entrance, and means “in, on.” Yes, those

are also derivatives. The second form has a



26

rough breathing mark (ε 3 ν). This calls for an h sound before the vowel

and is pronounced [hen]. It is a Greek word for the number “one.”

In the section on the numerals you will find that the number

eleven is a combination of hen and δε &κα deka (ten): ε 3 νδεκα hendeka.

The rim of the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin is a hendecagon, aneleven-sided figure, used here to commemorate the f light of Apollo 11

pictured on the back. There is even a hendecasyllabic meter in poetry

that has eleven syllables per line. The Greeks of old and the Romans,

especially Catullus, used this form, as did some modern poets,

including Alfred Lord Tennyson and Robert Frost.

Our word “ego” comes directly from the Greek word ego < [ego <] for

“I” or “one’s self.” If a person has a big ego, we call that person an

egotist or describe him or her as egotistical. Egotism can be one of the

bigger problems in human relations—when people think too highly of

themselves and their opinions.

The little Greek word eu [eu <] meaning “good,” often appears as

a prefix in English, as in eulogy, good words spoken or written in

tribute to someone, commonly at a funeral or memorial service. Eu is

also in the word euphemism, an inoffensive term substituted for one

considered blunt or offensive. Eugene and Eugenia mean “well born.”

(See genos above, having to do with “birth” and “beginnings.”) “Good

rhythm” is implied in the word eurythmy. Euphony is sound that is

agreeable, and euphoria is a sense of great well-being.

Epi [epee], meaning “upon” or “around,” is another word

that usually appears as a prefix. Derma δε &ρµα means “skin.” Your

epidermis is your outer skin on top of the layer of skin that is “inside

or within,” which is called the endodermis. De <mos δη =µος means

“community, people.” An epidemic is an infectious disease that has aneffect upon a whole community.

ε 0γω & ego < [ego <] = I, self -- ego, egotism

ε !θος ethos [ethos] = custom, habit -- ethics

ε 0πι & epi [epee] = upon, around -- epidermis, EpiPen®, epiphany

ευ ] eu [eu <] = good -- eulogy, euphoria, eurythmy



27

ΖΗΤΑ ζη =ταZETA Ζ ζ

The capital Greek letter zeta is just like

our capital Z. You’ll find its form in the

pictograph of lightning, which refers to Zeus

in Greek mythology, the king of the Greek

gods and thrower of lightning bolts. Of course, his name begins with

zeta. Remember to add a d sound when using his name while speaking

Greek: Ζευ /ς [dzeu <s]. If the z were removed, we have the word deus, the

Latin word for “a god, a deity.” In Spanish it is Dios. In French, Dieux.

These last two words also appear in their expressions for goodbye:adios and adieu, “go with God.”

Zoon [dzo’on], the Greek word for “animal,” shows up in our

words “zoo,” where a zoologist could study animals (zoology). In the

sky we have a circle of constellations, many of which have animal

forms. We call it the zodiac.

Zephyros [dzefooros] was the god of the west wind, characterized as

a gentle breeze (in contrast to Boreas, the god of the north wind, who

could be cold and violent). The word “zephyr” has been borrowedsince ancient times by musicians, authors, car and motorcycle

manufacturers (Ford and Kawasaki), as well as by aviation, naval, and

train companies. Why do you suppose they use this word?

Zo <ne < [dzo <na <], Greek for “girdle” or “belt,” is obviously related to

our word zone.

ζη =λος ze <los [dza <los] = zeal for -- zealous, jealous

Ζε &φυρος Zephyros [dzefooros] = Zephyr, god of the west wind

ζω & νη zo <ne < [dzo <na <] = girdle, belt -- zone

ζω =ον zoon [dzo’on] = animal -- zoo, zoology, zodiac



28

ΗΤΑ η ]ταETA Η η

The pictograph is one of the infant Heracles,

whose name means “the glory of Hera,” wife

of Zeus and queen of the Greek gods. Even as

a baby, his strength was extraordinary: When

a jealous Hera sent two snakes into his crib to

kill him, he simply squeezed them to death.

Look for the lower case eta in the snakes and in Heracles’s strong

shoulder and bicep. The Greek word he <ro <s [ha <ro <s] means “demi-god”

and Heracles, the son of Zeus and a mortal, was one, for sure. He wasnotable for feats of strength and courage. From he <ro <s we get hero and

heroine.

Another god in Greek mythology, He <lios [Ha <leeos], the sun god,

is often pictured as driving a four-horse chariot pulling the sun across

the sky. From his name comes helium, a gas that makes up about one-

third of the sun. When astronomers describe our solar system with all

the planets orbiting the sun in the center, they call it heliocentric—in

contrast to the geocentric theory, that the sun and planets circle theearth.

The Greek word for “pleasure” is η (δονη / he <done < [ha <dona <].

Although the Greeks used the eta for the long a, when it morphs

into English, it often becomes a long e as in hedonist, a person who

overindulges in pleasure.

He <misus [ha <misoos], meaning “half,” shows up in our word

hemisphere, as in the Northern Hemisphere, the half of the earth

above the Equator. A hemitone is an alternative musical term for ahalf-tone, a pitch interval halfway between two whole tones.

η ]θος e <thos [a <thos] = custom -- ethics, ethos

η 3λιος he <lios [ha <leeos] = sun -- helium

η 3µισυς he <misus [ha <misoos] = half -- hemisphere

η 3ρως he <ro <s [ha <ro <s] = hero, demigod -- hero, heroine, heroic



29

ΘΗΤΑ θη =ταTHETA Θ θ

The capital letter theta is represented as

the shield of the Greek soldier in the

pictograph, protecting his chest. The

word for that part of the human body in

Ancient Greek is tho <rax, and has come

directly into English to mean that part of

the human anatomy. As an adjective one

can speak of the thoracic cavity, within

which reside the lungs and heart.Theos [theos] is the word for “god” in Ancient Greek. In modern

English theology is the study of God, the Bible, other Holy Scriptures,

and related topics. When combined with the Greek word for “gift,”

δω &ρον do <ron [do <ron], the names Theodore, Theodora, and Dorothy

mean “gift of God.” Theos also appears in a subtle yet profound way

in the word “enthusiasm.” It is there in the “thus” part of the word,

suggesting that when you are enthusiastic about something, you have

God or Spirit within you.Thermos [thermos], meaning “hot,” has also come directly into

our language to refer to a container that can keep its contents hot

or warm. What word do we use to measure one’s body temperature?

Yes, it’s a thermometer. Here are some other ways this Greek relative

shows up in English: thermostat, thermal underwear (to keep the

body warm), and rising warm air in the atmosphere is called a

thermal. Thermodynamics is the study of heat in relation to other

forms of energy.

θεο &ς theos [theos] = god -- theology, enthusiasm, atheist

θεραπευ &ω therapeuo [theräpeu <o <] = to care for -- therapy

θερµο &ς thermos [thermos] = hot -- thermometer, thermal

θω &ραξ tho <rax [tho <räks] = chest -- thoracic



30

ΙΩΤΑ ι 0ω =ταIOTA Ι ι

The word ichthus [ikhthoos] in

Greek means “fish.” The study

of fish is called ichthyology. The

lower case io <ta is much like the shape of the gill on the fish.

The Greek word idea means “form” or “pattern, and it has come

directly into English as idea. Closely related, the Greek verb “to see” is

idein, from which we derive ideal and idealism.

In Ancient Greek the word for “layman” or “person lacking in

skill or expertise” was ι 0

διω /της idio

<tes [ideeo

<ta

<s], from which we getidiot. Interestingly, idio <tes derived from a similar yet distinct Greek

word, idios, which means “peculiar” or “private.” A peculiar habit can

be called an idiosyncrasy, and an unusual pattern of behavior can be

described as idiosyncratic.

As indicated earlier, one of the most interesting combinations of

Greek words is “horse”: hippos [hippos] and “river”: ποταµο &ς potamos

[potämos]. From them we get hippopotamus, a river horse.

A narrow strip of land is called an isthmos [isthmos]. From it weget the word isthmus as in the Isthmus of Panama and the Isthmus of

Corinth.

ι 0δε &α idea [ideä <] = form, pattern -- idea

ι 0δει = ν idein [ida <n] = to see -- idea, ideal

ι !διος idios [ideeos] = one’s own, private -- idiosyncracy, idiom

ι 3ππος hippos [hippos] = horse -- hippodromeι 0σθµο &ς isthmos [isthmos] = narrow strip of land

ι 0χθυ &ς ichthus [ikhthoos] = fish -- ichthyology



31

ΚΑΠΠΑ κα &ππαKAPPA Κ κ

Kardia [kardeeä] is the Ancient

Greek word for “heart.” A heart

attack can be called a cardiac arrest.

A cardiologist is a doctor who

specializes in the care of the heart. An

electrocardiograph (EKG) measures the electrical activity in the heart.

The word for “head” in Greek is kephale < [kefäla <]. Encephalitis is an

inflammation of the brain. A hydrocephalic is a person with an excess

of water on the brain. An octopus with its large head and eight legsbelongs to the family of sea creatures called cephalopods.

Klepte <s [klepta <s] is Ancient Greek for “thief.” A person who steals

compulsively is called a kleptomaniac.

The word for “universe” in Ancient Greek is kosmos [kosmos].

From it we get such words as cosmic, cosmology, cosmopolitan,” and

cosmos itself.

Krypto < [kroopto <] involves “hiding” something. A crypt is a tomb

that is commonly put in the underground or basement level of achurch. In making a cryptic remark, a person is hiding the meaning

from some people. Cryptography has to do with making or breaking

codes, hidden messages.

καρδι &α kardia [kardeeä] = heart -- cardiac

κεφαλη & kephale < [kefäla <] = head -- encephalitis

κλε &

πτης klepte <

s [klepta <

s] = thief -- kleptomaniacκοσµε &ω kosmeo < [kosmeo <] = to arrange, adorn -- cosmetics

κο &σµος kosmos [kosmos] = universe -- cosmos

κρυ &πτω krypto < [kroopto <] = hiding -- crypt, cryptography



32

ΛΑΜΒ∆Α λα &µβδαLAMBDA Λ λ

Look for the lower case lambda in the

mouth of the lion, or in Greek: leo <n[leo <n].

The word for “stone” in Ancient

Greek is lithos [lithos]. It comes into

English in the word lithography, a

printing process in which an image was

originally rendered on a smooth stone.

The Paleolithic Age points to the “old”Stone Age when humans used rough or chipped stone tools. The

Neolithic Age refers to a “new” Stone Age time when polished stone

tools were used.

Many English words end in “-logy.” They are all related to the

Greek word logos [logos, though it is often pronounced lo <go <s]. It can

be translated as “word” or “reason” or “meaning.” So biology literally

means the words about life. The words about the earth can be found

in the study of geology. Logic is another derivative. The Gospel of St. John opens with the following sentence: “In the beginning was the

Word.” The word for “Word” in the Greek passage is Logos.

Lyra [loorä] is the Greek word for “harp” and is also the name of

a starry constellation that looks a bit like one. Our words lyre, lyrics,

lyricist, and lyrical are all related to it.

λαµπα &ς lampas [lämpäs] = torch -- lamp

λε &ων leo <n [leo <n] = lion -- Leo, leonine

λι &θος lithos [lithos] = stone -- lithography

λο &γος logos [logos] = word -- logo, geology

λυ &ρα lyra [loorä] = harp -- lyre, lyrical



33

ΜΥ µυ =

MU Μ µ

The lower case mu can be found in the

eyebrow and the nose of the gentleman

with the monocle. Monos [monos], meaning

“single” or “only,” is used as a prefix in many

other words, with roots also coming from

Ancient Greek: monotony (a single sound),

monologue (a speech performed by one

actor), monogram (initial letters of a name),

and monotheism (belief in one God), etc.The slang word megabucks borrows from the Greek word megas

[megäs], which means “large.” A small sound can be made large with

a megaphone. Megalomania is a mental disorder marked by delusions

of grandeur. A megaton refers to the explosive force of a million

metric tons of dynamite.

Metron [metron] shows up in many words for measurements:

meter, millimeter, centimeter, speedometer, metric, and metronome.

The word for “mother” in Greek is me <te <r [ma <ta <r] We find it in theEnglish words: matriarch, maternal, and matron.

Microwave, microchip, and microscope come from the word

µικρο &ς mikros [meekros] which means “small.” We use a microscope

to see small things like microbes, or germs. The human being can

be described as a microcosm, a little world, in comparison to the

macrocosm, the universe, formed from the Greek µακρο &ς makros

[mäkros] for “long, lofty.”

µε &γας megas [megäs] = large -- megaphone

µε &τρον metron [metron] = measure -- meter

µη &τηρ me <te <r [ma <ta <r] = mother -- maternal

µνη &µη mne <me < [mna <ma <] = memory -- mnemonic, amnesia

µο & νος monos [monos] = single, only -- monocle, monogram

µυ &σταξ mystax [mooostäks] = upper lip -- moustache



34

ΝΥ νυ =

NU Ν ν

The lower case nu is

hidden in the ship five

times. Three are quite

obvious. The Greek word

for ship is naus [nows].

Derivatives of it are seen

in words like nautical and

even navy. In the Greek myth involving Jason and the Golden Fleece,

the sailors on his ship, the ’Αργω &

Argo <

, were called Argonauts. Withthat in mind, what would “star sailors” be called? (Remember, the

Russian cosmonauts were first.)

In 1898 two British chemists discovered a new gas. Later it was

electrified in a glass tube, and a bright light was the result. Since the

1920s it has been used in signage advertising businesses. That may

seem old, but back then, it was new, so it was given the name neon,

which comes from neos [neos], the Greek word for “new.”

Often “neo-” is used as a prefix denoting something new, as in theNeolithic Age, the New Stone Age. A neophyte is a person who is a

beginner in some endeavor. The neonatal wing in the hospital is for

the newborn babies.

The Ancient Greek word nyx, for “night,” is descended from the

same Indo-European root word as nox in Latin, Nacht in German,

noche in Spanish and “night” in English.

ναυ =ς naus [nows] = ship -- nautical, navy, astronaut νε &ος neos [neos] = new -- neon, neophyte

νευ =ρον neuron [neu <ron] = sinew -- nerve, neuralgia

νι &κη nike < [neeka <] = victory -- Nike shoes, Nike of Samothrace, an Ancient Greek marble sculpture now in the Louvre in Paris

νυ /ξ nyx [nooks] = night



35

ΞΙ ξι =

XI Ξ ξ

Xylon [ksoolon] is the Ancient

Greek word for “wood.”

Our musical instrument, the

xylophone, consists of a series of

wooden tone bars. Xylem is the

woody tissue that supports a plant stem and conducts water. (Phloem,

from another Greek word φλοιο &ς phloios [floyos] for “bark,” conducts

the nourishment.)

In English, the letter x has two pronunciations: At the beginningof a word it is usually pronounced [zee] as is the first x in “Xerox,” and

[ks] as is the last x. But in Greek, the letter xi is always pronounced

[ks].

The Ancient Greek word for “strange” is xenos [ksenos]. People

who fear strangers are described as being xenophobic (φο &βος phobos

[fobos] is the Greek word for “fear”).

A derivative of xenos is another Greek word for “hospitality”

or “guest friendship”: ξενι /α xenia [ksenıä]. In English, xenia is abotanical term for the positive effect on a hybrid plant brought about

through receiving “foreign” pollen. Zeus is sometimes referred to as

Zeus Xenios, meaning he was a god of, among other things, travelers.

The word for “dry” in Greek is xeros [ksa <ros], from which we have

the word xerography, meaning dry printing, that is, without wet ink.

The Xerox Corporation borrowed the Greek word in naming its dry

copying process, and we have come to use the word also as a verb to

mean making copies on such a machine.

ξε & νος xenos [ksenos] = stranger -- xenophobia, xenon, xenia

ξηρο /ς xe <ros [ksa <ros] = dry -- xerography, xerox

ξυ &λον xylon [ksoolon] = wood -- xylophone, xylem



36

ΟΜΙΚΡΟΝ ο !µικρονOMICRON Ο ο

When doctors specialize in studying the

eye, they are called ophthalmologists,

from the Ancient Greek word for eye,

ophthalmos [ofthälmos]. This word is

one of the few in English that has four consonants in a row. When

pronouncing ophthalmology, don’t forget the “ph” before the “th.”

The word for “road” in Ancient Greek is hodos [hodos]. The

device used in a car to measure the distance we travel along a road

or highway is thus called an odometer. This word also shows up asa suffix, -ode, from the Greek for “way” or “path,” as in electrode, a

pathway for electric current.

Orthos [orthos] is the Ancient Greek word for “straight.” To align

one’s teeth correctly we go to an orthodontist. The word “orthodox”

is also related. Orthodox thinking is generally thought to be correct

thinking, or conforming to the official accepted or standard opinion.

Osteon [osteon] is the word in Greek for “bone.” A doctor who

specializes in working with bones is called an osteopath. Osteoporosisis an affliction, often in old age, due to a loss of bone mass.

ο (δο &ς hodos [hodos] = road -- odometer, ode, rhapsody

ο 3λος holos [holos] = whole, all -- holistic

ο 0ρθο &ς orthos [orthos] = straight, correct -- orthodox, orthodontics

ο 0

στε &

ον osteon [osteon] = bone -- osteopath, osteoporosisο 0φθαλµο &ς ophthalmos [ofthälmos] = eye -- ophthalmologist



37

ΠΙ πι =

PI Π π

The lower case letter pi is outlined in

the tunic being worn by the running

child in the picture. One form of the

word for “child” in Ancient Greek

is παιδο &ς paidos [pı <dos]. We find its

distant cousin in the name for a doctor

for children, a pediatrician. Pedagogue

is another related word. In Ancient

Greece a person assigned to be a teacher would go from house to house, leading

children to a place where they would be taught.

Pate <r [päta <r] is the Ancient Greek word for “father.” From it we get

the word paternal. This can be used to indicate your grandparents on

your father’s side of the family. Your maternal grandparents would be

from your mother’s side.

In the Bible the elder ruling fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

were known as the Patriarchs of the Old Testament. Today the oldestman in a family or group can be referred to as a patriarch.

The name for “city” or “city-state” used by the Ancient Greeks

was πο &λις polis [polis]. The word is evident in a number of our words:

metropolis, Minneapolis and Annapolis, even police, and politics.

The word for “fire” in Ancient Greek is pyr [poor]. It appears in

the word pyre, which is a fire for burning a body in a funeral rite.

A person who has a compulsion to set fires is called a pyromaniac.

Pyrex is a brand name for heat-resistant glass. And many of us enjoy apyrotechnic display on the Fourth of July!

πα = ν pan [pän] = all -- panorama, pandemonium, panacea

πατη &ρ pate <r [päta <r] = father -- paternal, patriarch

πυ =ρ pyr [poor] = fire -- pyre, pyromaniac, Pyrex, pyrotechnics



38

ΡΩ ρ 9ω =

RHO Ρ ρ

Rhinos [hrınos] is the Ancient Greek word

for “of the nose.” The capital letter looks

like our capital P . The lower case looks

like a cursive p. Look for it in the nostril

and lower part of the nose in the cartoon

drawing. Some people with a nose that size

opt for plastic surgery. The technical term

for that is rhinoplasty, otherwise known as a “nose job.”

The rhinoceros got its name from the large horn on its nose. Kerasκε &ρας is the word for “horn,” so a rhinoceros is literally a “nose-

horn.” Often the animal’s name is abbreviated rhino.

You may wonder about the h in rho, in “rhinoceros,” and in

“rhinoplasty.” The rough breathing symbol is always present when the

rho is at the beginning of a word. In pronouncing rhinos, make an h

sound along with the r sound: [hr].

Rhythmos [hroothmos], meaning “measured repetition,” has this

similar characteristic. Related words include rhythm, arithmetic, andeurythmy.

ρ 9η &τωρ rhe <to <r [hra <to <r] = speaker -- rhetoric

ρ 9ι &ς rhis [hrıs] = nose

ρ 9ι & νος rhinos [hrınos] = of the nose -- rhinoceros

ρ 9υθµο &ς rhythmos [hroothmos] = measured repetition -- rhythm,

arithmetic, eurythmy



39

ΣΙΓΜΑ σι =γµαSIGMA Σ σ ς

This letter has the unique feature of

having two different lower case forms.

When sigma appears at the end of a

word, the form used is ς , similar to our

letter s. The main difference is that the

top curve of the form is larger than the lower. When sigma appears

elsewhere in a word, the Greek letter is σ, which form can be seen in

the pictograph of the crying baby’s mouth.

The word for “mouth” in Greek is stoma [stomä]. An obviouslyrelated word is stomach, which is a rather large mouth. However,

stoma is a word in itself in English. On the backside of leaves are

microscopic oval structures that open and close, breathing in carbon

dioxide and breathing out oxygen. These tiny pores or “mouths” are

called stomas.

The tent-like building used as a backdrop in Ancient Greek drama

was called a ske <ne < [ska <na <]. From it the word scene was formed.

We know “Sophia” as a female name; it means “wisdom” in Ancient Greek. We find it in our word philosophy. The first part of

this word comes from one of the words in Greek for “love”: φιλι &αphilia [fileeä]. Thus philosophy is the “love of wisdom.” Closely related

is the Greek word sophos, which means “skilled” or “clever.” We see

this in sophisticated, meaning “having acquired worldly knowledge

or refinement.” It also appears in the word sophomore. The last

part of the word comes from µωρο & ν mo <ron, meaning “foolish.” So a

sophomore, a second-year high school or college student who mightthink he or she knows everything, is actually a “wise or clever fool.”

σκηνη & ske <ne < [ska <na <] = tent -- scene

σοφι &α sophia [sofeeä] = wisdom -- philosophy, sophomore

σοφο &ς sophos [sofos] = skilled -- sophisticated

στο &µα stoma [stomä] = mouth -- stomach



40

ΤΑΥ ταυ =

TAU Τ τ

The letter tau is pictured in the drawing

of a rock hammer, a technical tool used by

geologists for chipping rocks for analysis. It

takes some skill or craft to do this well, which

leads us to the word technique. This word’s ancestor is techne < [tekhna <],

meaning “craft” or “art.” As the hammer is a tool, it also suggests

other related words: technology, technical, technician and even the

slang word “techie.”

“Bull” in Ancient Greek is tauros [towros]. The starry constellationTaurus derives its name from this word. It also is part of the word

minotaur, the half-bull monster of King Minos’ labyrinth in Greek

mythology.

Topos [topos], the Greek word for “place,” is an ancient cousin

of our word topography, which can refer to the surface of the place

around us. A topographical map is one that shows the lay of the land,

often including its elevation. If a medicine is to be used topically, it

is not to be taken internally, but used only on the surface of the skin. A topic or theme is the subject of a speech, essay or conversation, a

common place to start.

ταυ =ρος tauros [towros] = bull -- Taurus, minotaur

τα &ξις taxis [taksis] = order, arrangement -- taxonomy, taxidermy

τε &χνη techne < [tekhna <] = craft, art -- technique, technical

το &

πος topos [topos] = place -- topic, topography



41

ΥΨΙΛΟΝ υ 9ψιλο & νUPSILON Υ υ

The word for “water” in Ancient Greek

is hydor [hoodo <r]. From it we get the word

hydrant. The little drop of water coming

from the hydrant is in the shape of the

lower case upsilon. To hydrate oneself is

to drink a sufficient amount of water. One of the major contents of

water is hydrogen. Hydroelectric power is energy generated by running

water.

If a person is described as “hyper,” short for hyperactive, it meansthat person is overactive. The Greek word for “over” or “above” is

hyper [hooper]. A hyperbole [hı <perbo <lee] is a figure of speech in which

exaggeration is used to make a point. I’ve told you a thousand times

what a hyperbole is.

The opposite of hyper is hypo [hoopo], meaning “below” or

“under.” To be hypoactive is to be sluggish. The Greek for “skin”

is δε &ρµα derma [dermä], so we call a needle that is used to inject

substances into the body under the skin a hypodermic. Someone whose blood sugar is too low is hypoglycemic.

υ 9γι &εια hygieia [hoogia <ä] = health -- hygiene

υ 3δωρ hydor [hoodo <r] = water -- hydrant, hydrogen

υ 9πε &ρ hyper [hooper] = over, above -- hyperbole, hyperactive

υ 9πο & hypo [hoopo] = under -- hypodermic, hypoglycemia



42

ΦΙ φι =

PHI Φ φ

Put a hand on your throat where

your larynx or “voice box” is and

say something; phi will do. Feel the

vibration? The larynx consists of a pair

of vocal cords through which air passes,

creating sound. With a little imagination,

look at the illustration: picture the two

vocal cords on either side of the vertical line, which represents the air

passing between them.The word for “speech” or “voice” in Ancient Greek is pho <ne < [fo <na <].

Besides telephone, phonetics, and phonograph, other related words

include symphony (sounding together) and euphony (pleasing, good

sound), and cacophony (unpleasant or too much sound).

Philia [fileeä], one of the Greek words for “love,” was mentioned

earlier in connection with philosophy. When combined with the

Greek word for “brother,” α 0δελφο &ς adelphos [ädelfos], it reveals

the name and the motto for the large Pennsylvania metropolis,Philadelphia, “The City of Brotherly Love.”

“To carry” or “to bear” in Greek is phero < [fero <]. The legend of St.

Christopher describes a ferryman bearing the Christ child across a

river on his shoulders (as pictured on the St. Christopher medal). The

ph is often transliterated as f , as in conifer, a cone-bearing tree.

The word for “nature” in Greek is physis [foosis]. From it we get the

word physics, the science of matter and energy (natural laws). It is also

the source for our words physical, physician, and physique, the naturalproportions of one’s features.

φε &ρω phero [fero <] = to carry, bear -- Christopher, conifer

φιλι &α philia [fileeä] = love -- philosophy

φυ /σις physis [foosis] = nature -- physics, physical

φωνη & pho < <ne < [f o <na <] = speech, voice -- telephone, phonetics



43

ΧΙ χι =

CHI Χ χ

A chiropractor does not use drugs in

working with a patient, only the hands.

For this reason I chose to use the image

of a hand to introduce the letter that is

the initial letter of the word “hand” in

Ancient Greek: cheir [kha <r]. The letter

chi is sounded [kh] as in the Scottish word for “lake”: loch.

The number 1000 in Greek is chilioi [khileeoy]. English relatives

include kilometer (a thousand meters, or about three-fifths of a mile),kilogram (a thousand grams, or about 2.25 pounds), and kilowatt,

a thousand watts, the unit of measure that power companies use to

dispense and charge for electricity.

One word for “time” in Ancient Greek is chronos [khronos]. From

that association we get a number of time-related words: chronology,

chronological, and chronometer, an extremely precise timepiece.

When one has had a continuing medical problem, it is called a

chronic ailment or condition. A very closely related Greek word, χρονικα / [khronikä] chronika,

means “an account of historical events in order,” and we see it in the

titles for the well-known literary tales, The Chronicles of Narnia of C.S.

Lewis and The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, as well as the Old

Testament history books, the First and Second Chronicles.

The words chrome, chromatic and chromosome all derive from

the Greek word for “color”: chro <ma [khro <mä].

χει &ρ cheir [kha <r] = hand -- chiropractor

χι &λιοι chilioi [khileeoy] = thousand -- kilometer, kilogram

χρο & νος chronos [khronos] = time -- chronology, chronic

χρω =µα chro <ma [khro <mä] = color -- chromatic



44

ΨΙ ψι =

PSI Ψ ψ

In English words beginning with ps,

the p is silent, as in psychology and the

Old Testament book of Psalms. But

pronunciations of the Greek all begin

with ps. (The Greeks can still pronounce

it, even if we can’t!) We have an echo of it

when we want to get someone’s attention quietly: “Psst.”

We know the poems in the Psalms were meant to be sung because

the Greek word psalmos [psälmos] means “song.” A psaltery is not a well-known musical instrument, but it

serves well to illustrate the Greek letter. It was an ancient stringed

instrument that was played to accompany the reading or singing of the

Psalms, and a psalter is a collection of Psalms.

Pseude <s [pseu <da <s] is the Greek word for “false.” An author who

wants to remain anonymous can use a false name called a pseudonym.

A pseudo-intellectual is someone pretending to be smarter than he or

she really is. Biologists speak of amoebas having pseudopodia, littlefalse feet, with which they move about.

Our word psychology comes from the Greek word for “soul” or

“spirit”: psyche < [psookha <]. Thus a psychologist, who deals with mental

and emotional processes, can be thought of as a sort of doctor for

the soul. We call someone with special mental powers such as ESP

a psychic. And the slang expression to psych someone out means to

“mess with their mind.”

ψαλµο &ς psalmos [psälmos] = song -- Psalms, psalter

ψευδη &ς pseude <s [pseu <da <s] = false -- pseudonym, pseudopod

ψυχη & psyche < [psookha <] = spirit, soul -- psychic, psychology



45

ΩΜΕΓΑ ω 0µε &γαOMEGA Ω ω

The omega is the letter used to express

a long o sound. The lower case Greek

letter resembles the English lower case

w. The capital omega can be seen in

the pictograph surrounding the old-

fashioned mantle clock, chosen because one word that begins with

omega is ho <ra [ho <rä], which means “time” or “season,” and from which

we get the word hour. Horology is the science of measuring time or

the art of making timepieces.It is curious that these Greek words have rough breathing symbols

on the omegas and so the h is sounded. Yet when we use their English

derivatives, the h is silent.

A little-known word, horary, is also related. It means “hourly.”

When we say “horary” we sound the h. The h is also sounded in

horoscope, meaning literally “looking at the hour,” or as we use it

today, a diagram of the position of the planets and stars at a given

point in time, usually one’s birth.Because omega is the last letter in the Greek alphabet, it is

sometimes used to mean just that: the end. Often it is paired with

the alpha, for the beginning. As such, they express the “beginning and

ending” of something. In the New Testament the Alpha and the Omega

refers to the Christ, or God’s Love as the beginning and end of all

things.

ω 3ρα ho <ra [ho <rä] = time, season -- hour, horoscope, horary ω 0µε &γα o <mega [o <megä] = the last, the end -- Omega watches, the

“last word” in timekeeping

And now we have come to the end of this chapter.



46

4.Greek Numbers from 1–20

Arithmoi – ’Αριθµοι &

Greek Transliteration [Pronunciation] Derivatives

0 µηδε & ν me <den [ma <den]

1 ει [ς , ε 3 ν heis [ha <s], hen [hen] ace

2 δυ /ο duo [dooo <] duet, dual

3 τρει =ς treis [tra <s] tricycle, triple

4 τε /τταρες tettares [tetäres] tetrahedron5 πε / ντε pente [pente] pentathlon

6 ε 3ξ heks [hex] hexagon

7 ε 9πτα / hepta [heptä] heptagon

8 ο 0κτω / okto < [okto <] octopus

9 ε 0 ννε /α ennea [enneä] ennead

10 δε /κα deka [dekä] decade

11 ε 3 νδεκα hendeka [hendekä] hendecagon

12 δω /δεκα do <deka [do <dekä] dodecahedron

13 τρει =ς και \ δε /κα* treis kai deka [tra <s kı < dekä]

14 τε /τταρες και \ δε /κα tettareskaideka [tetäres kı < dekä]

15 πεντεκαι &δεκα pentekaideka [pentekı <dekä]

16 ε 9κκαι /δεκα hekkaideka [hekı <dekä]

17 ε 9πτακαι /δεκα heptkaideka [heptäkı <dekä]

18 ο 0κτωκαι /δεκα okto <kaideka [okto <kı <dekä]

19 ε 0 ννεακαι /δεκα enneakaideka [enneäkı <dekä]

20 ει !κοσι eikose [a <kosee] icosahedron

*Και & is Greek for “and.” Thus “thirteen” is written τρει =ς και \ δε &κα: “three

and ten.” Fourteen is: τε &τταρες και \ δε &κα: “four and ten,” and so forth, up

to nineteen. From fifteen on, the three separate words are written as one.



47

5.Reading Ancient Greek

Now that we are more familiar with the Greek alphabet and

some words in Greek and their English derivatives, you may ask if it

is possible to read this marvelous language. Let’s give it a try. Below

are some excerpts from philosophy and literature, presented first in

Ancient Greek, then transliterated into English with a pronunciation

guide, followed by translation into English.

Philosophical SayingsFrom a civilization famed for its influence on Western philosophy,

it is appropriate to list a few wise sayings from this rich tradition.

Γνω =θι Σαυτο & ν. Gno <thi Sauton [Gno <thee Sowton]

Know Thyself.

Μηδε \ ν Α 1 γαν. Me <den Agan [Ma <den Agän]

Nothing in Excess. (Literally: Nothing too much.)

Με &τρον α !ριστον. Metron ariston [Metron ariston]

Moderation in all things. (Literally: The middle is best.)

Μελε &τη το \ πα = ν. Melete < to pan. [Meleta < to pän]

Practice makes perfect. (Literally: Practice is everything.)

Πα & ντων Χρηµα &των Με &τρον Α 1 νθρωπος .Panto <n Chre <mato <n Metron Anthro <pos. [Panto <n Khra <mäto <n Metron Anthro <pos]

The human being is the measure of all things.

Ευ 3ρηκα! Heure <ka! [Heu <ra <kä]: I found it! or, I have it!

Πα & ντα 9Ρει =. Panta Rhei [Päntä Hra <]: All is flowing.



48

The First Lines of “The Odyssey”by the poet Homer, ca. 700 BC

Homer, the great poet who wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey, composed

these two masterpieces in hexameter. As one recites the lines in Greek,

it is possible to step that rhythm for each line.

Ο∆ΨΣΣΕΙΑ

A 1 νδρα µοι ε 1 ννεπε, Μου =σα, πολυ &τροπον, ο 3ς µα &λα πολλα \

πλα &γγθη, ε 0πει \ Τροι &ης ι 9ερο \ ν πτολι &εθρον ε 1περσεν,

πολλω = ν δ’ α 0 νθρω &πωνι

!δεν α

1στεα και

\ νο

&ον ε

1γνω,

πολλα \ δ’ ο 3 γ ’ ε 0 ν πο & ντω πα &θεν α 1λγεα ο 4 ν κατα \ θυµο & ν,

α 0ρνυ &µενος η 3 ν τε ψυχη \ ν και \ νο &στον ε 9ται &ρων.

Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, polytropon, hos mala polla

plangthe <, epei Troie <s hieron ptoliethron epersen,

pollo <n d’anthro <po <n iden astea kai noon egno <,

polla d’ho g’en ponto < pathen, algea hon kata thumon,arnumenos he <n te psyche <n kai noston hetairo <n.

[Andrä moi enepe, Moosä, polootropon, hos mälä polä

plängtha <, epa < Troya <s hı <eron ptoliethron epersen,

pollo <n d’ änthro <po <n eeden ästeä kı < noon egno <,pollä d’ho g’en ponto < päthen älgeä hon kätä thoomon,

arnoomenos ha <n te psookha <n kı < noston hetı <ro <n.]

Tell me, O Muse, of the man of many devices, who wandered full

many ways after he had sacked the sacred citadel of Troy. Many were the

men whose cities he saw and whose mind he learned, aye, and many the

woes he suffered in his heart, upon the sea, seeking to win his own life

and the return of his comrades.



49

The Prayer to Zeus

Ο Ζευ \ς, προ \ς γα \ρ θεου =

ει !µεν ξει =nοι τε πτωχοι & τε,α 0λλα \ Ζευ \ς πα & ντων

ο (ρα &ει τε &λος.

O Zeus, pr os gar theou

eimen xeinoi te pto < xoi te,

alla Zeus panto <n

horaei telos.

[O Dzeu <s, pros gar theoo

a <men ksa <noy te pto <khoy te,

älä Dzeu <s pänto <n

horäa < telos.]

O Zeus, facing towards god

we are both strangers and beggars,for Zeus alone of all the gods

sees our final destination.

This prayer is often attributed to Solon Σο /λων [Solo <n] (ca. 640–

558 BC), an Athenian statesman and lawgiver, considered one of the

Seven Sages of Greece. His writings on government strongly influenced

James Madison in shaping the U.S. Constitution.

In Waldorf schools this invocation is often spoken by the students

to open the fifth grade pentathlon event.



50

New Testament Greek and theFirst Lines of the Gospel of John

Attic Greek was spoken in the region of Attica, of which Athens was

the premier city. It was the tongue of Plato, Aristotle, the dramatists

whose works have survived, and many historians, including Xenophonand Thucydides. As with all languages, Attic Greek changed over time.

Hundreds of years later, when the New Testament was written in Greek,

the language had indeed changed—to the degree that it was given a

new name. New Testament Greek is known as Koine [koyna <] Greek.

It differs from classical Attic Greek in some ways, much like the way

that American English and even modern British English vary from the

Elizabethan English of Shakespeare and of the King James Version of

the Bible in the 1600s. John’s Gospel, Chapter I, verses 1–5 appears inKoine Greek as follows:

’Εν α 0ρχη = η ] ν ο ( Λο &γος , και \ ο ( Λο &γος η ] νπρο \ς το \ ν Θεο & ν, και \ Θεο \ς η ] ν ο 9 Λο &γος.ου [τος η ] ν ε 0 ν α 0ρχη = προ \ς το \ ν Θεο & ν.Πα && ντα δι’ αυ 0του = ε 0γε & νετο.

και \ χωρι \ς αυ 0του = ε 0γε & νετο ου 0δε \ ε 3 ν ο 3 γε &γονεν.’Εν αυ 0τω = ζωη \ η ] ν,και \ η ( ζωη \ η ] ν το \ φω =ς τω = ν α 0 νθρω &πων.Και \ το \ φω =ς ε 0 ν τη = σκοτι \α φαι & νει,και \ η ( σκοτι &α αυτο \ ου 0 κατε &λαβεν.

En arche < e <n ho Logos, kai ho Logos e <n

pros ton Theon, kai Theos e <n ho Logos.

Houtos e <n en arche < pros ton Theon.

Panta di’ autou egeneto;

kai cho <ris autou egeneto oude hen ho gegonen.

En auto < zo <e < e <n,

kai he < zo <e < e <n to pho <s to <n anthro <po <n.

Kai to pho <s en te < skotia phainei,

kai he < skotia auto ou katelaben.



51

[En ärcha < a <n ho Logos, kı < ho Logos a <n

pros ton Theon, kı < Theos a <n ho Logos.

Hootos a <n en ärkha < pros ton Theon.

Päntä di’ owtoo egeneto;

kı < kho <ris owtoo egeneto oode hen ho gegonen.En owto < zo <a < a <n,

kı < hä zo <a < a <n to pho <s to <n änthro <po <n.

Kı < to pho <s en ta < skotiä fı <na <,

kı < ha < skotiä owto oo käteläben.]

In the beginning was the Word, and

the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him;

and without Him was not anything made that was made.

In Him was life,

and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

(Revised Standard Version)



The Acropolis Today



53

6.More English Words

with Ancient Greek Origins

Greek word Transliterated English meaning Related words

α 0γορα & agora marketplace agoraphobia

αι 0ω & ν aio <n age, time aeon, eon

α !λγος algos pain neuralgia, analgesic

α 0µφι & amphi on both sides of amphibian

α ! νθρωπος anthro <pos human being anthropology α 0ργυ &ριον argurion silver Argentina

α 0ριθµο &ς arithmos number arithmetic

α !ριστος aristos best aristocratic

α 0ρχη / arche < beginning archaic

α !ρχων archo <n leader patriarch

βα &θος bathos depth bathysphere

βασιλικο &ς basilikos royal, kingly basilica

βουκο &λος boukolos cowherd bucolic

γα &µος gamos marriage polygamy

γυνη & gune < woman gynecology

δαι &µων daimo <n deity demon, daimon

δε & νδρον dendron tree, shrub rhododendron

δευ &τερος deuteros second Deuteronomy

δια & dia through diameterδιδακτο &ς didaktos teachable didactic

δο &ξα doxa opinion dogma, doxology

δρο &µος dromos chariot race course syndrome, hippodrome

δω &ρον do <ron gift Dorothy, Theodore



54

ε 1θνος ethnos nation, tribe ethnic

ε 0κ ek out of, from ecstasy, exit

ε 3λιξ helix spiral shape helix

ε 0πι &γραµµα epigramma inscription epigram

ε 0

πιφα & νεια epiphaneia manifestation epiphany ε !ργον ergon work erg, urge

η 9γεµω & ν he < gemo <n leader, guide hegemony

η 0χε &ω e <cheo < resound echo

θα & νατος thanatos death “Thanatopsis”

θε &µα thema composition theme

ι 1σος isos equally isometrics

κακο &ς kakos badly, ill cacophony

κινε &ω kineo < to move kinetic, kinesthetic

κλι & νω klino < to slope incline, decline

κρανι &ον kranion skull cranium

κριτη &ς krite <s judge critic

κυ &κλος kuklos circle cycle, Cyclops

λαβυ &ρινθος labyrinthos winding maze labyrinth

λευκο &ς leukos white leukemia, leucocyte

µανι &α mania madness, frenzy maniac, manic

µα & ντις mantis seer mantis, praying mantis

µε &γιστος megistos greatest majestic, majesty

µε &λας melas black, dark melancholic

µετα & meta beyond metaphysics

µυρι &

ος myrios countless myriad

νεκρο &ς nekros corpse necromancy, necrology

οι ]κος oikos house ecology, economy

ο 0λι &γος oligos few oligarchy

ο 9µο &ς homos one and the same homogeneous



55

ο ! νοµα onoma name nominate

ο !ρνις ornis bird ornithology

ο 0ρχη &στρα orche <stra space for dancing orchestra

ου 0ρανο &ς ouranos sky, heaven Uranus

πα &λαι palai long ago Paleolithic

παρα & para beside parallel, parable

περι & peri around perimeter

πε &τρα petra rock petrified, petroleum

πλευρα & pleura rib, side pleurisy

πλη =θος ple <thos a great number plethora

πλουτε &ω pluteo < to be wealthy plutocrat

ποι &ηµα poie <ma anything made poem

πο &λεµος polemos war polemicπολυ &ς polys many polygon, polyglot

ποµπη & pompe < procession pomp, pompous

πο &ρος poros means of passing pores, porous

πρα =γµα pragma business-like pragmatic

πρεσβυ &τερος presbyteros elder Presbyterian

προ & pro before provide

πτε &ρυξ pteryx wing pterodactyl

ρ 9ο /δον rhodon rose rose, rhododendron

σα &ρξ sarx flesh sarcasm, sarcophagus

σατρα &πης satrape <s governor satrap

σεισµο &ς seismos earthquake seismograph

σηµαι & νω se <maino < to give a signal semaphore

σκε &πτοµαι skeptomai to inquire skeptic

σκο &πος skopos look to see scope

στα &

διον stadion 600 Greek feet stadiumστενο &ς stenos narrow stent, stenographer

στρατηγο &ς strate < gos commander strategy

συ &µβολον symbolon sign, watchword symbol

σχι &ζω schizo to split schizoid, schism

σω &µα so <ma body, person psychosomatic

σωτηρι &α so <te <ria salvation soteriology



56

τα &λαντον talanton balance weight, sum talent

τει & νω teino < to stretch tense, tension

τη =λε te <le faraway telephone, telegraph

τε &λος telos goal, destination teleology

τρο &

πος tropos turn, direction troposphereτυ &ραννος tyrannos absolute sovereign tyrant

φαι & νω phaino < to appear epiphany

φα &λαγξ phalanx line of battle phalanx

φα &ρµακον pharmakon drug, poison pharmacy

φευ &γω pheugo < to flee fugitive

φο &βος phobos fear phobia

φω =ς pho <s light phosphorus,

photograph

χα &ος chaos chaos chaos, chaotic

χα &ρις charis grace charisma,

Eucharist

χα &σµα chasma deep, division chasm

χορδη & chorde < gut-string cord

ω 1σµος o <smos a pushing osmosis



57

7.The Mysteries and Curiosities

of the Alphabet

The alphabet as we know it in Western civilization has a long, evolved

history. General opinion holds that it came out of ancient Phoenicia

where a standardized phonetic system of letters was developed. The

Greeks, who traded with this sea-going society in the region that is now

Lebanon, adopted much of what was written and adapted it for their

own use by about 775 BC. The fact that an alphabet has lasted for over

2700 years is no small feat!

The original meanings of the

letter names were lost when the

alphabet was adapted for Greek.

For example, alpha comes from the

Phoenician aleph (ox) and beta from

beth (house). At first there were a

number of different versions usedin the various Greek city-states. But

by early the 4th century BC they

were all using the same. The lower case letters came into use around

800 AD, having been developed from Byzantine cursive writing.

Interestingly, the original direction of writing was from right to left,

imitating the Phoenician practice. By the 5th century BC the direction

was changed to from left to right.

The Miracle of Written Sounds

Greek or otherwise, the alphabet is a marvelous phenomenon. To

take the sounds of a spoken language and represent them with visual

symbols that can be read aloud or silently and produce meaning—that

is amazing if not miraculous.



58

The ability to record and preserve stories and information has

proved invaluable. Nonetheless, there are drawbacks to such a practice.

When everything could be written down, a person no longer needed

to memorize anything important. Thus the skill of memorizing, that

had long been cultivated, weakened and sometimes was even lost. Theupside, on the other hand—most would agree—has long outweighed the

importance of memorization. With the alphabet and the words it can

produce, a person can study a text, a passage, a lineage and memorize it

at one’s leisure—instead of through the painstaking rigor of listening to

a bard or record keeper.

Yet there is still a place for learning “by heart.” What might begin as

something merely memorized by rote can grow over time and unfold its

deeper, heartfelt meaning.

Learning passages of Attic or Koine Greek spoken and written

hundreds and hundreds of years ago is also a way we can reach across the

ages and connect with ancient lore and wisdom, taking into ourselves a

common memory of Western culture. Written and memorized passages

from ancient, or even modern times, can also serve as centering mantras.

Wise seers have long seen the value of using a mantra for personal

spiritual development.

The Curious Arrangement of Letters in theGreek and English Alphabets

The vowels and consonants that make up Greek and English have

an interesting sequence in their respective alphabets. In music one

speaks of “intervals” as the arrangement of various notes on a major

musical scale. To speak of the interval of a “third” is to refer to a note

that follows on the third note above (or below) a previous note. Thusan interval of a third from middle C would be E (CdE). A third above

E is G. Likewise, a fifth from the note A is E (AbcdE). If you prefer the

“do re mi” references, a third from “do” would be “mi,” a fifth would

be “sol,” and a seventh would be “ti.”



59

Utilizing this terminology, let us look at the Greek and English

alphabets and capitalize the vowels to point out their intervals.

A β γ δ E ζ H θ I κ λ µ ν ξ O π ρ σ τ U φ χ ψ Ω

The vowels are in the following sequence: Alpha to Epsilon is a fifth

(interval), Epsilon to Eta is a third, Eta to Iota is also a third. Iota to

Omicron is a seventh, Omicron to Upsilon is a sixth, and Upsilon to

Omega is a fifth.

In the English alphabet the vowel sequence is as follows:

A b c d E f g h I j k l m n O p q r s t U v w x y z

A to E is a fifth, and E to I is also a fifth. However, between I and

O is a seventh, and from O to U is a seventh. Unlike the Greek

alphabet, the English alphabet does not have a vowel for the ending

letter. Nonetheless, if the curious person were to count out the interval

between the U back to the A at beginning of the alphabet, that interval

is a seventh.

Why is this information given? What's the point? First, it could be

of interest to a musician. It implies a certain musical/rhythmical qualityto the alphabet. I leave it here as a curiosity, for your contemplation.

Much more could be said about other interesting aspects of both

alphabets, but this book is just an introduction. If one wants to learn

more fascinating thoughts about the subject, I recommend a small

booklet of a lecture by Rudolf Steiner entitled “The Alphabet, An

Expression of the Mystery of Man,” given in Dornach, Switzerland,

on December 18, 1921, translated by V.E. Watkin, and available from

Mercury Press. Rudolf Steiner was a scientist and philosopher inthe early 1900s in Germany, and the founder of Waldorf education,

biodynamic agriculture, and a number of other practical applications

of his philosophy.



The Parthenon Today



61

Resources

Ancient Greek, Gavin Betts & Alan Henry, London: HodderEducation, 1989 and 2003.

Beginning Greek, a Functional Approach, Stephen W. Paine, New York:

Oxford University Press, 1961.

The Compact Version of the Oxford English Dictionary, New York: Oxford

University Press, 1971.

English Words from Latin and Greek Elements, Donald M. Ayers, Tucson, AZ: The University of Arizona Press, 1986.

Greek-English Lexicon, Henry George Liddell & Robert Scott, 7th

edition, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1889, 1975.

An Introduction to Greek, Henry Lamar Crosby & John Nevin

Schaeffer, New York: Allyn and Bacon, 1928 and 1949; recently

republished by Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, Inc. (This book

was my original introduction to Greek when I studied Greek at theUniversity of Texas. It has been my main resource book. I still have

my original, now rather tattered, 1949 version.)

The New Lexicon Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language, New York:

Lexicon Publications, Inc., 1989.

The New Testament in the Original Greek, Brooke Foss Westcott, DD,

& Fenton John Anthony Hort, DD, New York: The Macmillan

Publishing Co., 1925.

1000 Mythological Characters, Edward S. Ellis, New York: Hinds, Noble

& Eldredge, 1899.

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, MA: G&C Merriam

Co., Publishers, 1953.



62

Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, MA: G&C

Merriam Co., Publishers, 1963.

www.s-e-t-s.org.uk, online transliteration chart.

Photo Credits

Cover: A Reading from Homer, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Oil on

canvas, 1885, 36¹ /8 × 72¼ inches (91.8 × 183.5 cm), Philadelphia

Museum of Art: The George W. Elkins Collection, 1924,

permission courtesy of Philadephia Museum of Art.

The Acropolis p6: rendering by Leo von Klenze, 1846, NeuePinakothek (Gallery), Munich.

The Parthenon p8 top: Centennial Park, Nashville, TN.

The Parthenon p8 bottom: rendering by Gorham P. Stevens, 1938,

pantherfile.uwm.edu/prec/www/source/mythology/

0500/athena.htm, copyright 2005, permission courtesy of

Bruce Precourt.

The Acropolis Today p52 both views: www.Greece-Athens.com,permission courtesy of Alexandros Damigos, Marinet Ltd.

The Parthenon Today p60: Parthenon, Athens, Greece, photo taken

1978, OPartenon de Atenas.jpg, author: Steve Swayne.

The author p63 and back cover: Andre Deslauriers,

info@starsandcinema.

Compact Disc Credits

Recording engineers: Scott Waters and Andre Deslauriers

Reproduction: Bill Ernst, MauiDiscs.com

Label design: Ann Erwin



63

About the Author

Keith McCrary was born and reared in New Mexico.

His college education at The University of Texasin Austin included the classical languages with a

major in liberal arts. Keith received a Master of

Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley,

CA. He was the pastor of the First United Methodist

Church in San Francisco from 1966–1969, a time

and place of fascinating change in world culture.

Keith has also been a freelance artist, specializing in cartoon

portraits. Over the years he has drawn over 100,000 caricatures in placeslike Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Carnaby Street in London,

and at numerous conventions on the island of Maui.

His primary employment, however, has been as a Waldorf educator.

In that capacity, he has been a Class Teacher grades one through eight

for twenty-nine years and has introduced Ancient Greek (and Latin) to

several hundred elementary, high school and adult students. He also

taught history and English to high school students for four years.

Since 1991 he has resided on the island of Maui in Hawaii. There

he is the director and a major teacher with Adult Waldorf Education

(AWE), a part-time teacher training institute, which he helped to found

in 1996.

Keith has been described as a master teacher, a wordsmith, a

philologist (a lover of words), a humorist and an inveterate punster. In

his “retiring” years, he has visited, taught, and mentored in schools in

Mexico, Japan and the United States.

Besides teaching, writing and drawing, Keith’s main artistic passion

is improvisational dance. He has done some serious choreography,

especially for some compositions of Igor Stravinsky.

Keith and his wife, Lynette, have one daughter, four sons and, at the

time of this writing, eight grandchildren.



Dedication

To David Mitchell, long time director of AWSNA

Publications, who grasped the vision of this book back in

2002 and patiently waited ten years for the manuscript. This

book is dedicated in memory of a dear and good friend.

To Ann Erwin, who also waited patiently and with

continued support, encouragement and enthusiasm for the

project. It is largely due to her dilgence, mellow perseverance

and hard work that this book is in your hands.

To the hundreds of Greek students in several Waldorf

schools, who taught me much by going along for the journey.

Acknowledgements

Thanks go to Anjte M. Bojarsky for lending me a number

of resource books, as did Coral Cottage.

Thanks also go to Genie Sakaguchi and Donald Samson for

proofing the manuscript and making suggestions. Donald’s

impressive knowledge of and experience with Greek and his

caring for the project have made a significant contribution

to the book.

M y attitude of gratitude includes my daughter, Renee Kirk,

who strongly encouraged me over the years to do this project.

A nd finally, my appreciation extends to my wife, LynetteMcCrary, for her steadfastness through it all.



Can Ancient Greek be introduced with levity and

whimsy? Author Keith McCrary has introduced

hundreds of children and adults to Ancient

Greek for over thirty years at Waldorf schools in

the United States, Japan and Mexico. Follow the

directions for learning to say the Greek alphabet,

and he will have you speaking it it in different

rhythms, in a series of accents, including Texan!

– and even singing it.

Included are pictographs for the letters of the Greek alphabet and

ample opportunities to learn about many Greek words that have

English “cousins.” Besides learning to count to twenty, you can recite

the first lines of Homer’s Odyssey, some well-known philosophical

sayings, and much more, plus learn a little history along the way.

You can be amused while learning some Ancient Greek and, perhaps

if you pay close attention, you’ll even be amazed. After reading this

little book, you may well understand a good bit more than you had

before because it IS Greek to you.

This is an excellent introduction for anyone interested in learning about

language. The illustrations lift the words off the page and into the

imagination. I recommend it for classrooms, homes and a place on your

bookshelf. - - Paul R. Brown, Maui District School Superintendent, ret.

alpha-beta book

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